[T3] changing tire size

[Jim Adney]

On 21 Jan 2014 at 22:25, Bobbokush at aol.com wrote:

> my rims are not stock, would those tires still fit, ? would the larger  
> tires affect the ride, which is wonderful now.

Start by finding out what your rim width is now, then check to see if 
this is an allowable width for the tires you want to put on. Then 
check your clearances to make sure you don't end up with something 
that's undrivable. Mounting tires that are too wide for the rims will 
actually degrade the handling.

If you end up having to buy new wheels, too, check to see what the 
offset is, because the offset is likely to be different and not put 
the tire where you expected it.

MANY years ago, I had some 185s on the rear, and IIRC, those barely 
cleared the fender. Those were on stock 4.5" rims and they were the 
old standard profile tires. I believe those were the widest tires 
allowable on that width rim. Unfortunately, they pushed the rear end 
way high and made the car too tall and wobbly. That was back in 1974, 
and low profile tires weren't available in the sizes they are now.

I know that extremely low profile tires are all the rage now, but I'm 
not among their fans. Our Jetta came with 55 series tires, and my 
daughter hit a pothole over Christmas. That bent one wheel and 
destroyed one tire. There's a second tire that is probably damaged 
enough that it's days are numbered. The cost for that single incident 
was over $500, not counting the second tire.

A higher profile wheel and tire might have survived. I would pay 
extra to move UP in tire profile in a new car, but the only options 
these days is to move down.

If the roads in your area are always smooth and flat, this may not be 
something you need to worry about, but in areas where there is winter 
and potholes, low profile tires are a real gift to the tire shops.   

-- 
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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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